Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, some of you may remember I have a female burm named Muffin. Other than the occasional hiss when I'm reaching into her (with a hook, LOL), she's always been in perfect behavior and health (and I believe still is) with an appetite like none I've ever seen. Occasionally (once every week or two) I'll be sitting here and just hear a huge hiss. When I look over at her she will be giving 3 or 4 hisses kinda lunging out with her mouth open. Most would think there is a possible RI but she shows no sign of this. Perfectly clear airways (from listening to her breath) and of course no fluid from her nose or mouth. Her temps are fine and I occasionally mist her (once a day). The only thing I can think of (which is out-there I admit) is that she's waking up from a dream (maybe one about a mean rat ) Has anyone seen this behavior in their burms? Thanks for any help you can give, Scott Sullivan.
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Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

"In any civilized society, it is every citizen's responsibility to obey just laws.
But at the same time, it is every citizen's responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
—Martin Luther King Jr

Scott, it could very well be the beginnings of an RI. I would guess thast her humidity level is low (under 70%) I would immediately do anything to get her humidy levels up to 70% or more. My rooms are often at 96% and sometimes even go as high as 98%. I don't think there is such a thing as "Too much" when it comes to humidity. They are from a jungle after all. If you don't have a humidity indicator I would suggest you get one. Wal-Mart and Target have great digital humidity indicators for 20 bucks. They're cheap and will last for years. They also carry a "Reli-On" cool mist humidifier. These work the best. They are only 40 bucks. if you think 60 bucks for these two things seem high, just compare it to 400 or 500 dollar likely vet bills if you don't get them.

>>Hello all, some of you may remember I have a female burm named Muffin. Other than the occasional hiss when I'm reaching into her (with a hook, LOL), she's always been in perfect behavior and health (and I believe still is) with an appetite like none I've ever seen. Occasionally (once every week or two) I'll be sitting here and just hear a huge hiss. When I look over at her she will be giving 3 or 4 hisses kinda lunging out with her mouth open. Most would think there is a possible RI but she shows no sign of this. Perfectly clear airways (from listening to her breath) and of course no fluid from her nose or mouth. Her temps are fine and I occasionally mist her (once a day). The only thing I can think of (which is out-there I admit) is that she's waking up from a dream (maybe one about a mean rat ) Has anyone seen this behavior in their burms? Thanks for any help you can give, Scott Sullivan.
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>>Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
>>Martin Luther King, Jr.
>>
>>"In any civilized society, it is every citizen's responsibility to obey just laws.
>>But at the same time, it is every citizen's responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
>>—Martin Luther King Jr
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It isn't "Ideas" that fail or succeed,... it is the "Systems" which are instilled to launch and sustain the idea that either fail or succeed.>[Me.]

I've stepped up to misting her 4 or 5 times a day until I pick up one of these humidifiers. I will incorporate a hole into the side of the cage design you sent me for whichever humidifier they carry. BTW, $60 is not at all too much for our Muffin. If anything I've become so attached to her I wish I could build her her own complete room to hang out in. My wife is always saying how I don't give the other snakes enough play time because I'm always babying her, LOL. I've also put an extra water bowl in her cage to boost the humidity some more. Thanks for you help, Scott.
-----
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

"In any civilized society, it is every citizen's responsibility to obey just laws.
But at the same time, it is every citizen's responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
—Martin Luther King Jr

I want to thank all of the people that bother to help out those of us that have not been keeping snakes as long. I did not know that burms could get an RI from low humidity. I have had two cases in 9 months and could not figure out why.

My hat is off to you....

Dan

Humidity is very easy to overlook and unless one lives in a humid zone and does without drying factors like a/c and heat, one should take care to make sure the humidity is at least 75% but I highly recommend 80. Mine is usually in the upper 80's and into the 90's because most of the year I don't have the a/c going and it is that humid outside. When the a/c is on I use a humidifier in the snake room. You can really tell the difference when you walk in there. If the snake is kept around the living areas of the house one has to mist or keep a small water bowl in the warm section of the cage and cover up the screen about 3/4 of the way if using a screen top for a baby in a terrarium. Shedding is perfect when the humidity is over 80%. One can purchase a hygrometer at most gardening sections or stores and keep tabs on humidity as much as temperature.
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Marcia Pimentel
Tango River Reptiles
GiantFeeders

>>I want to thank all of the people that bother to help out those of us that have not been keeping snakes as long. I did not know that burms could get an RI from low humidity. I have had two cases in 9 months and could not figure out why.
>>
>>My hat is off to you....
>>
>>Dan
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It isn't "Ideas" that fail or succeed,... it is the "Systems" which are instilled to launch and sustain the idea that either fail or succeed.>[Me.]